Springfield, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois officials are reminding taxpayers there are fewer than two weeks left before the April 15 deadline for filing income-tax returns.

 

The Department of Revenue said Tuesday it has processed more than 3 million tax returns and refunded $745 million.

 

Officials encourage electronic filing. They say refunds arrive much faster than for returns filed on paper.

 

Revenue Director Brian Hamer says about 250,000 taxpayers used the state's WebFile program to file taxes.

 

About 2,000 taxpayers have participated in a pilot program that puts their refunds on a pre-paid debit card to save the cost of check-cashing.

 

Online: http://tax.illinois.gov